Antenna



March 2 5, 1947. I w rr JR 2,417,848

ANTENNA Filed Dec. 11, 194

INVENTOR. AMORYH- WA/TE, JR.

X/forne 7 Patented Mar. 25, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as

amended April 30, 1928; 370 O. G. 757) 4 Claims.

The invention described herein may be manufac ured and used by or for the Government for governmental pur oses, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to antennas and more particularly to antennas for emergency use where the effective height of an antenna must be increased to improve the operating range of associated radio equipment.

In conventional use, vehicular or other portable antennas, because of structural considerations are limited in height. Thus, an operator, military or otherwise, is occasionally confronted with the necessity of obtaining communication from a location considerably beyond the normal operating ranges of such antennas and their associated transmitters and/ or receivers,

Transmission and/ or reception also suffer from line-of-sight obstructions when operating over hilly or tree covered terrain or locations having man-made obstacles.

It is well known to those versed in the art that propagation of radio waves, particularly at the h gher frequencies, is greatly reduced and sometimes blocked if obstructions, natural or otherwise, exist in a transmission path at or above the level of the transmitting or receiving antenna.

Inasmuch as unfavorable geographical locations or ranges are selected for the operation of radio equipment only because an emergency exists, and the use of a more suitable location would be deemed inadvisable or improvident, particularly in military operations, it was des1rable that an antenna be designed to overcome natural conventional antenna tuning circuits, outgoing or incoming signal strengths are proportional to the fraction of the overall electrical length of the antenna circuit which projects out of the vehicle as the antenna. Thus, it was desirable that an antenna be designed, which could cause a considerably greater fraction of the overall electrical length of an antenna circuit to project beyond the vehicle thereby greatly improving both the transmitting and receiving capabilities of the associated radio equipment.

Supports of a satisfactory height for antennas of varioustypes, wire or otherwise, are on many occasions difficult to obtain under field conditions and therefore it was necessary that the design of the antenna herein described serve not only as an antenna when required but also provide a raised support for another antenna, or antennas. all of which may be operated separately or simultaneously, anywhere in the radio frequency spectrum.

It was also essential that the antenna be of such construction that its easy transportation would be possible While using a minimum of space in whatever conveyance should serve as a vehicle for the associated transmitting and/or receiving equipment.

In addition it was deemed necessary that the erection of the antennas be smiple, rapid, and require a minimum number of personnel,

The object of this invention is, therefore, to provide an antenna or antennas and/or a sup porting structure capable of considerably increasing the communication ranges of one or more radio sets which normally utilize portable antennas.

A further object is to'provide an antenna or antennas and a supporting structure which can be transported readily and occupy a minimum of space in a Vehicle, and which can be economically and readily produced in quantity with present day methods of manufacture.

Another object is to make possible the erection and dismantling of the antenna or antennas and/or supporting structures rapidly, simply and with a minimum of personnel,

A still further object is to provide an antenna or antennas and supporting structures, adaptable to various uses and means of assembly and erection.

With these and other objects in view, many of which will become apparent from the following description of the illustrative embodiments of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, the invention resides in the novel method, steps, elements, arrangement of parts in cooperative relation, as hereinafter more particularly pointed out in the claims; and exem plified in the practical embodiments of the structure herein described as follows:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of the antenna structure mounted on a bracket attached to a vehicle and used as a center-fed half-wave or elevated end-fed quarter-wave antenna for high-- used in conjunction Figure 8 is a bolt used in conjunction with adapter Figure '7.

Figure 9 depicts an internally threaded and recessed cap screw which serves to fasten the bottom gusset plate Figure 3 to the tubular member Figure 6 of the structure.

Figure 10 illustrates a stud which is used to fasten top gusset plate to the tubular members Figure 6 of the structure.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 1 and 2:

Figure l illustr .tes the invention assembled as a structure for raising to a predetermined height a vertically polarized center-fed half-wave or elevated end-fed quarter-wave antenna for higher frequencies and comprises: gusset plates i5 and 2?, which will be more particularly described as Figures 3 and 5; tubular members ii, same being i lustrated in detail as Figure 6; adapter 22 bolt l3 described hereinafter in detail as Figures 7 and 8 respectively; cap screws M described in detail as Figure 10; guys [5; snap hooks studs ll described in particular as Figure 9; a lower insulator 58; a vehicular mount to support insulator [3; a coaxial cable 2e; an insulator 2i supporting a Whip antenna 22 and the entire structure attached to the body of the vehicle 23.

Figure 2 illustrates the invention assembled in its entirety as an antenna supported on a circular base 2%, said base 24 being attached to a stake 25 driven into the earth and the entire structure being insulated from the earths surface by insulator 2E and comprised of the following components: gusset plates i and 28 described in detail as Figures 3 and l; tubular me oer-s 15 detailed as Figure 6; guys l; snap hooks \vhip antenna cap screws i4 described particularly as Figur l0; studs i! detailed as Figure 9; trifurcated support 30 attached to gusset plat-e i i and retained thereto by thumb screws 3i; insulator 25; stake 25; circular base 24; lead-in 32.

Referring to Figure 3, same comprises a plate of ferrous or non-ferrous metal, or other material of equal tensile strength, having a predetermined thickness and of equilateral-triangular configuration. As illustrated in cross section the edges of this plate are rolled to give added strength to same. To those familiar with the art this equilateral-triangular configuration is known as a gusset plate and will so be referred to hereinafter.

Circular apertures 58, of predetermined diameter and disposed at the vertices of the gusset plate a predetermined distance from the perimeter of said gusset plate, are provided for insertion of the tubular members Figure 6 in a manner to be described hereinafter.

the assembly and erection of the invention the gusset plate Figure 3 is used as an intermediate or bottom member, the centrally located opening 4! will have a diameter which will permit passage a coaxial cable or other conductor can be used in a manner to be described 'einaf the apertures 43 and around the perimeter of the gusset plate Figure l. are orifices d2 of predetermined diam.- eter. The aforementioned orifices 42 are provided for the insertion of snap hooks IE. At-

to the aforementioned snap hooks are 'es i5 which are the means for supporting antenna and/or mast in a vertical position. gusset plate 4, has the same dimensions of the gusset plate in Figure 3 but differs therefrom ith respect to the central perforation 43. perforation. is extended axialiy by the addition of hub 4i and the entire perforation 43 and contiguous 1 db 44 is internally threaded 65 its entire length. The particular purpose i this arrangement will be described hereinafter.

The gusset plate, Figure 5 is similar in all reusset plates Figures 3 and 4 with the ption of the centrally located opening 44 n will have diameter of suitable size to permit the insertion of an insulated whip antonne. as will be desc 'ibed more particularly.

The apertures, openings, orifices and perforations. in the gusset plates, Figures 3, a and 5, are disposed similarl and in the same relation to each other.

The tubular member Figure 6 comprises a tubular section 49 of ferrous or non-ferrous metal or other material having equal tensile strength, to one end of which is afi ir-ied, by method known hose versed in the art, a ferrule 50 of ferrous o: o-ferrous metal or other material of equal tensile strength, the said ferrule 5? being knurled on the outer surface thereof for case of manipulation. of the end of the tubular Ihat portion z: member 49 which is covered by the ferrule 50 is threaded internally predetermined distance therein. On the other end, f the tubular memher and opposite to ferrule 50 is attached a forrule 52.

Figure 6 further ihustrates in partial cross section the ferrules 5i! and 52, their construction and the manner in which said ferrules 56 and 52 are attached to the tubular member 49. Extending from the ferrule 52 and immediately contiguous to same is an externally threaded portion 53 and another portion 54- split at the extreme end a distance back therefrom to provide the necessary spring tension for satisfactory electrical contact. The diameter of the threaded portion 53 immediately contiguous to the knurled portion. 52 is such that any number of tubular members Figure 6 may be joined together in a manner to be described hereinafter.

An adapter Figure 7 is internally threaded 55 a distance therein contiguous to this internally threaded portio 55 a recess 56 is provided to permit the in" on of the bolt Figure 8 in a manner to be described further along.

Immediately contiguous to and being a part of the threaded portion 55 and recessed portion 55 of the adapter Figure 7 is an externally threaded portion 51 and contiguous thereto. and also a part thereof, is portion 58, split in the manner described her inbefore. The upper portion 59 which is in juxtaposition to the internally threaded portion 55 is of hexagon configuration.

The bolt Figure 8 is conventional in design exelusive of the end 60 which is contiguous to the threaded portion 6 I and a part thereof. The aforementioned end 60 being similar to the split end 54 and 58 already described.

The stud Figure 9 is conventional in design and the head 62 of same is knurled for ease of manipulation.

Figure depicts a conventional type of capscrew. However, the recess 63 is smaller in diameter than the internally threaded portion 64. The head 65 is knurled for easy manipulation of same.

The novelty of the invention resides primarily in the assembled structure and the ease with which same can be erected or dismantled together with the fact that the parts, as described herein and illustrated by the Figures 3 to and including 11, may be stowed away in a small bag in or on the outside of a vehicle and occupy a minimum of space.

The procedure for assembling the invention is comparatively simple. Referring to the completed structure in Figure l the following steps will describe the method used.

The gusset plate [0 is selected because its central aperture. as described heretofore s Figure 3, 41 is suitable for the insertion of the adapter nut and bolt l2 and I3 respectively. The adapter assembly l2 and I3 is aflixed to the gusset plate [0. Following this the tubular members H are inserted in the apertures 40, of the gusset plate II] as illustrated and the oapscrews l4, of which there are three, although in Figure 1 only two are revealed. together with the one not shown are screwed on the threaded end 53 of the tubular members H. Referring to Figure 6 and Figure 10 it can be readily observed how these two members are connected and the manner in which they retain the gusset plate 10 between them.

In the next step another gusset plate It! is placed with its apertured vertices contiguous to the threaded apertures 51 of the tubular members. With the gusset plate In in this position, the threaded ends 53 of another trio of tubular members I l are screwed into and through the top of the apertured vertices 40 of the said gusset plate I 0 and into the threaded apertures 5| of the first trio of tubular members I I.

The same procedure is followed until sufficient members have been assembled to the height desired.

The top gusset plate 21, Figure 5, is placed in the same relation to the tubular members II, in the manner just described. The studs I1 are screwed into threaded opening 5| of the tubular F members I! and through the gusset plate 21, Figure 5. The purpose of the split ends 54, 5B and 60 of the various parts are so designed that the insertion of same into the various members of the structure depicted in Figure 1, make a good electrical contact. As will be noted the split ends are slightly larger in diameter at the lowermost ends thereof,

Referring again to Figure 1, the insulator 2| is inserted in the central aperture 44, Figure 5, of the gusset plate 21 and properly aflixed thereto. To the lower end of the insulator 2| is attached the coaxial cable 253 and same is passed through the apertures 41 oi the gusset plates II in this particular illustration. To the top of the insulator 2i is attached the desired antenna 22.

The aforementioned structure, Figure 1, after it is assembled, is mounted on the insulator I 8 which is affixed to the mount l9 attached to the body 23 of the vehicle.

Prior to the placement of the structure Figure 1 on the vehicle mount l9, guys It together with snaphooks l6 are attached to the top gusset plate 21 and alternate gusset plates H) in this par ticular illustration.

Moreover, the method of attaching the aforementioned guys and hooks depends entirely on the height of the structure erected.

The assembly, Figure 1, comprises a support for a vertically polarized antennaflz or any other type antenna and the structure, Figure 1, itself is of course insulated from the antenna 22.

However, in Figure 2, the structure, as assembled and including the whip antenna 29, operates in its entirety as a radiator or receiver of electromagnetic energy.

The procedure in assembling the structure illustrated in Figure 2 is similar to that outlined in Figure 1. In this particular case the intermediate and bottom gusset plates ID are alike. Gusset plate 28 is designed as illustrated in Figure 4 and is provided with an aperture 43 and a hub 44 which is contiguous thereto. This hub 44 serves to extend and strengthen the aperture 43 which is threaded internally as depicted. Into the aperture 43 is screwed the antenna 29. Thus the entire structure as assembled acts as a single radiator or receiver of electromagnetic energy. As illustrated in Figure 2 the main structure is supported by a trifurcated member 30 which is attached to gusset plate In and retained thereto by thumb screws 3i The trifurcated member 30 is attached to an insulator 26 and the insulator in turn is aiiixed to a stake 25. The stake 25 is centrally positioned thru the disc 24 and extends beyond the plane surface of said disc 24 a distance therefrom. The purpose of the said disc 24 is to permit the stake 25 to enter the earth a given distance therein and to add stability to the vertical position of the entire structure illustrated in Figure 2. As in Figure 1, further vertical stability is accomplished by using the guys 15 in a manner known to those versed in the art.

While there has been described what is at the present considered the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention, and it is, therefore, aimed in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An antenna, comprising a plurality of elongated tubular members composed of rigid material, a plurality of gusset plates of rigid material having the edges thereof rolled and containing therein a plurality of apertures, a portion of said apertures being disposed at the vertices of said gusset plates, the balance, with the exception of one aperture, being equidistantly disposed b tween the apertures located at the vertices of the said gusset plates, the exceptive aperture being centrally located in relation to the perimeter of said gusset plates, means for affixing the elongated tubular members at right angles to the gusset plates at the vertices thereof, means for combining the elongated tubular members and gusset plates to form a vertically disposed electromagnetic radiating structure, a supporting trifurcated member together with means for afiixing same to the lowermost gusset plate of the combined structure, means for insulating the vertical electromagnetic radiating structure from the earths surface and means for supporting the combined insulating means and structure on the earths surface.

An antenna, comprising a plurality of elongated tubular members composed of ferrous or non-ferrous metal, gusset plates'of ferrous or non-ferrous metal having the edges thereof rolled and containing therein a plurality of apertures part of which are disposed at the vertices of said gusset plates and part disposed equidistantly between the apertures at the vertices of the said usset. plates together with an opening centrally 'isosed in relation to the perimeter of said gust plates, the said centrally disposed opening, one of the plurality of gusset plates, having ontiguous thereto a hub and the entire opening together with hub being threaded internally, means for affixing the elongated tubular memvertical and gusset plates to form a vertical electronetic radiating structure, means for attachadditional electromagnetic radiating er to the uppermost gusset plate of the means for insulating the aforemen- Wructure from the supporting member and s for supporting the vertical electromagnetradiating structure on a vehicle.

3. An antenna, comprising a plurality of elongated tubular nenibers composed of electricallycord ctivc rigid material, gusset plates of electrionductive rigid material having the edges 'heiwi rolled and containing therein a plurality rtures part of which are disposed at the said gusset plates and part disposed 1y between the apertures at the s of the said gusset plates together with ing centrally disposed in relation to the ter of said gusset plates, the said centrally d opening, of one of the plurality of gusset having contiguous thereto a hub and the opening together with hub being threaded lu rt r internally, means for anixin the elongated tubular members to the gusset plates at the vertices I iei'ee-f, means for combining the elongated tubui, LES,

hr members and gusset plates to form a vertical electromagnetic radiating structure, means for attaching an additional electromagneti radiating member to the uppermost gusset plate of the structure, means for insulating the aforementioned structure from the supporting member and means for supporting the vertical electromagnetic radiating structure.

4. An antenna supper comprising aplurality of elongated tubular nembers composed of rigid ferrous or non-ferrous metal, gusset plates of rigid ferrous or non-ferrous metal having the edges thereof rolled and containing therein a plurality of apertures part of which are disposed at the vertices of said gusset plates and part disposed equidistantly between the apertures at the vertices of the said gusset plates together with an opening centrally disposed in relation to the perimeter of said gusset plates, the said centrally disposed opening, of one of ti e plurality of gusset plates, having contiguous thereto a hub and the entire opening together with hub bein threaded internally, means for affixing the elongated tubular members to the gusset plates at the vertices thereof, means for combining the elongated tubular members and gusset plates to form a vertical structure, means i or attaching an electromagnetic radiating member to the uppermost gusset plate of the structure, means for insulating the aforementioned structure from he sup-porting member and means for supporting the structure in a vertical position.

ANIORY I1. WAITE, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,250,531 Hansell -r July 29, 194:1 2,213,692 Cork et a1 Sept. 3, 1940 1,431,823 Leconte Oct. 1D, 1922 2,149,333 Brown H Mar. 7, 1939 

